Advocates call for halt on federal immigration expansion in Michigan

On Thursday, politicians and community advocates called for a complete halt, saying ICE has no business in the Mitten State.
Published: Feb. 19, 2026 at 6:06 PM EST

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) -Federal immigration officials are expanding their footprint across Michigan, drawing concern from some residents.

On Thursday, politicians and community advocates called for a complete halt, saying ICE has no business in the Mitten State.

The fight centers on two new facilities: A warehouse, purchased by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Romulus, is due to become a 500-bed detention facility that would house immigrants awaiting deportation.

ICE is also moving into administrative offices in Southfield, leasing space for legal operations and coordination that critics say fuel enforcement in the streets.

This comes as the Trump administration appears to be expanding ICE’s ability to detain legal refugees.

According to a memo obtained by CNN, the Department of Homeland Security is increasing the ability to detain refugees in the U.S. legally but who haven’t gotten a green card yet.

The memo cites national security concerns and calls on officers to arrest and detain refugees who failed to adjust to lawful permanent resident status after being admitted to the U.S.

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